Bolton | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk/bolton
Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voiceen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2017Fri, 18 Aug 2017 05:40:37 GMT2017-08-18T05:40:37Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2017The Guardianhttps://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttps://www.theguardian.com
'You feel ripped off': homeowners' frustration over ground rent traphttps://www.theguardian.com/money/2017/jul/25/you-feel-ripped-off-bolton-homeowners-frustration-over-ground-rent-trap
<p>People on Bolton estate say they were not told ground rent would double every 10 years, and they cannot sell their homes</p><p>Taking the weight off her feet for the first time in hours, Clair Scott falls back into a neighbour’s sofa and lets out a deep sigh. “It’s by far the worst year of my life, by a country mile,” she says. And her problems may not be over yet.</p><p>Ten months ago she discovered that the mid-terrace home in Bolton she had bought six years previously was now virtually unsellable. </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2017/jul/25/leaseholds-new-build-houses-england-banned-ground-rent-flats">Leaseholds on new-build houses in England to be banned</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2017/jul/25/you-feel-ripped-off-bolton-homeowners-frustration-over-ground-rent-trap">Continue reading...</a>LeaseholdPropertyHousing marketMoneyBoltonUK newsReal estateBusinessTue, 25 Jul 2017 18:04:57 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/money/2017/jul/25/you-feel-ripped-off-bolton-homeowners-frustration-over-ground-rent-trapPhotograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianPhotograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianJosh Halliday North of England correspondent2017-07-25T18:04:57ZPolice investigate Bolton house fire that killed girl aged five and her familyhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/09/police-investigate-bolton-house-fire-that-killed-five-year-old-girl-and-family
<p>Zubair Umerji the only person to survive fire in terraced property on Saturday that led to deaths of his wife and three children</p><p>Police have launched an investigation into a house fire in Bolton that claimed the lives of a five-year-old girl, her two brothers and her mother.</p><p>Investigators said the blaze, which reportedly started in the front room of the property just before 9am on Saturday morning, was not being treated as suspicious.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/09/police-investigate-bolton-house-fire-that-killed-five-year-old-girl-and-family">Continue reading...</a>BoltonUK newsFirefightersSun, 09 Jul 2017 18:03:08 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/09/police-investigate-bolton-house-fire-that-killed-five-year-old-girl-and-familyPhotograph: Aymen Mohamed/PAPhotograph: Aymen Mohamed/PAMarianna Spring2017-07-09T18:03:08ZHarry Potters gather in Bolton to smash Guinness World Recordhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/23/harry-potter-children-bolton-guinness-world-record-20th-anniversary-philosophers-stone
<p>Nearly 700 schoolchildren dressed as boy wizard work magic on 20th anniversary of Philosopher’s Stone release</p><p>Nearly 700 children have broken the world record for the largest gathering of people dressed like Harry Potter, on the 20th anniversary of the publication of the first book in the series.</p><p>A gathering of 676 children wearing wizard robes and round glasses from 11 Bolton primary schools filled the lawn at Smithills Hall on Friday in an attempt to beat the Guinness record.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/sep/11/guinness-world-record">How to break a Guinness World Record</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/23/harry-potter-children-bolton-guinness-world-record-20th-anniversary-philosophers-stone">Continue reading...</a>BoltonHarry PotterBooksCultureJK RowlingTeen booksChildren and teenagersGuinness World RecordsWorld newsChildrenSocietyUK newsFri, 23 Jun 2017 16:41:24 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/23/harry-potter-children-bolton-guinness-world-record-20th-anniversary-philosophers-stonePhotograph: Danny Lawson/PAPhotograph: Danny Lawson/PAFrances Perraudin2017-06-23T16:41:24ZMan jailed for hiding girlfriend's body in cupboard for more than a yearhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/05/andrew-reade-jailed-for-hiding-girlfriend-vicky-cherry-body-in-cupboard
<p>Andrew Reade concealed body of Vicky Cherry at flat in Bolton after her death from possible strangulation in October 2015</p><p>A man who hid the body of his dead girlfriend in the airing cupboard of their flat for more than a year has been jailed for four years and four months.</p><p>Andrew Reade, 43, wrapped the body of Vicky Cherry, 44, in a duvet and plastic sheeting after her death in October 2015 then concealed it at their address in Bolton, Greater Manchester.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/05/andrew-reade-jailed-for-hiding-girlfriend-vicky-cherry-body-in-cupboard">Continue reading...</a>BoltonGreater ManchesterCrimeUK newsMon, 05 Jun 2017 15:29:21 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/05/andrew-reade-jailed-for-hiding-girlfriend-vicky-cherry-body-in-cupboardPhotograph: GMP/PAPhotograph: GMP/PAPress Association2017-06-05T15:29:21ZBolton hospital monitored mother's heart rather than baby'shttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/01/bolton-hospital-negligence-monitored-mothers-heart-rather-than-babys
<p>Hospital admits negligence after death of baby Sadie Pye whose heart rate was not monitored correctly during labour</p><p>A hospital has admitted negligence after staff mistakenly monitored a mother’s heart rate instead of her baby’s. The baby, Sadie Pye, was starved of oxygen at birth and died hours later. <br></p><p>Her mother, Danielle Johnston, 31, had her labour induced at the Royal Bolton hospital in June 2011 after developing gestational diabetes when she was eight months pregnant. She said midwives noticed that the baby’s heart rate shot up after her waters were broken, but said it went back to normal about 30 minutes later. </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/01/bolton-hospital-negligence-monitored-mothers-heart-rather-than-babys">Continue reading...</a>BoltonHospitalsSocietyUK newsThu, 01 Jun 2017 17:14:15 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/01/bolton-hospital-negligence-monitored-mothers-heart-rather-than-babysPhotograph: Family handout/PAPhotograph: Family handout/PAPress Association2017-06-01T17:14:15ZBolton Octagon at 50: mills, thrills and bellyaches – in pictureshttps://www.theguardian.com/stage/gallery/2017/may/29/octagon-theatre-bolton-at-50-in-pictures
<p>The intimate Octagon theatre in Bolton has launched its <a href="https://octagonbolton.co.uk/news/octagon-theatre-bolton-announces-50th-anniversary-season-2017-2018/">50th anniversary season</a>. Take a look at some of its landmark productions from local playwrights Bill Naughton and Jim Cartwright and starring Andy Serkis, Barrie Rutter and James singer Tim Booth</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/stage/gallery/2017/may/29/octagon-theatre-bolton-at-50-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a>TheatreStageCultureBoltonMon, 29 May 2017 13:03:46 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/stage/gallery/2017/may/29/octagon-theatre-bolton-at-50-in-picturesPhotograph: Robert DayPhotograph: Robert DayGuardian Staff2017-05-29T13:03:46ZTrust in Theresa May raises Tory hopes in Labour’s northern heartlandshttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/may/06/rust-in-heresa-ay-raises-ory-hopes-in-abours-northern-heartlands
<p>Lifetime Labour voters are threatening to turn blue in the north-west, where some constituencies haven’t seen a Conservative MP in decades</p><p>When Theresa May flew in by helicopter to launch her general election campaign in the Bolton North East constituency that has returned a Labour MP for 20 years, she was accused of drafting in activists and distancing herself from the public during a brief appearance.</p><p>There was nothing scripted, however, about the reaction of 87-year-old Joan Bedson when the local Tory candidate knocked on her door. “I nearly needed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation,” said the retired librarian. “Labour campaign out here all the time, but I’ve never seen a Conservative candidate in all the years I have lived here. I was just saying that to friends yesterday. And now I’ve been visited by the candidate.”</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/may/06/ukip-election-tories-brexit-coalition">Exit Ukip stage right as Tories build formidable Brexit coalition | Robert Ford</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/may/06/brexit-britain-theresa-may-election-victory">In Brexit Britain there are three kinds of voter: the disconnected, the deceived, and the dismayed | John Harris</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/may/06/rust-in-heresa-ay-raises-ory-hopes-in-abours-northern-heartlands">Continue reading...</a>General election 2017Theresa MayConservativesJeremy CorbynLabourUK Independence party (Ukip)BoltonUK newsSat, 06 May 2017 19:31:19 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/may/06/rust-in-heresa-ay-raises-ory-hopes-in-abours-northern-heartlandsPhotograph: Jack Taylor/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Jack Taylor/Getty ImagesMichael Savage, Policy Editor2017-05-06T19:31:19ZBolton police shoot dead two rampaging pit bull-type dogshttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/apr/02/bolton-police-shoot-pit-bull-type-dogs
<p>Two other pit bull-type dogs seized as police search for another, following rampage in which passersby were injured</p><p>Police have shot dead two pit bull-type dogs after they went on the rampage, attacking passersby in Bolton.</p><p>Greater Manchester police said two other pit bull-type dogs involved in the incident on Chorley New Road, on Sunday morning have been seized and they are still searching for another. </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/apr/02/bolton-police-shoot-pit-bull-type-dogs">Continue reading...</a>BoltonUK newsDogsPoliceAnimalsSun, 02 Apr 2017 14:29:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/apr/02/bolton-police-shoot-pit-bull-type-dogsPhotograph: Alan Yates/Twitter/PAPhotograph: Alan Yates/Twitter/PAHaroon Siddique2017-04-02T14:29:02ZBatman begins: meet Haseeb Hameed, English cricket’s rising starhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/19/batman-begins-meet-haseeb-hameed-english-crickets-rising-star
<p>It has taken a father’s obsession and a brother’s sacrifice to create the brightest cricketing prospect England has seen in years. Tim Lewis meets ‘Baby Boycott’</p><p>As the <em>Observer</em>’s photographer, Murdo, is about to take his first picture, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/haseeb-hameed">Haseeb Hameed </a>moves a step to the side, like he might do on the cricket field to interrupt the run-up of a bowler while he readies himself. “Hang on,” he says, before standing on one leg, hopping for balance. He removes first one sock, then the other and slips his bare feet back into his loafers. Hameed continues: “It was cold when I put them on this morning.”</p><p>It’s still pretty chilly for bare ankles now, to be fair, as we stand on a terraced street in south Bolton in mid-January. Murdo, as Scottish as shortbread, looks on approvingly. “You’re a hard man,” he says, before clicking the shutter.</p><p>My dad’s always had a dream of one of his sons playing for England</p><p>Personally I don’t want to put my success down to talent. I’m a believer in work</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/19/batman-begins-meet-haseeb-hameed-english-crickets-rising-star">Continue reading...</a>Haseeb HameedEngland cricket teamCricketSportVirat KohliAlastair CookThe AshesBoltonSun, 19 Mar 2017 08:00:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/19/batman-begins-meet-haseeb-hameed-english-crickets-rising-starPhotograph: Murdo Macleod for the GuardianPhotograph: Murdo Macleod for the GuardianTim Lewis2017-03-19T08:00:02ZPeter Skellern’s piano-playing was too pure for his professor | Lettershttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/feb/22/peter-skellern-piano-playing-was-too-pure-for-his-professor
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/feb/19/peter-skellern-obituary" title="">Your obituary</a> of the talented and much-lamented Peter Skellern (20&nbsp;February) reminds me of an anecdote the singer-songwriter told during a concert in Manchester in the 1980s about his time at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/feb/19/peter-skellern-obituary">Peter Skellern obituary</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/feb/22/peter-skellern-piano-playing-was-too-pure-for-his-professor">Continue reading...</a>Pop and rockMusicBoltonGuildhall School of Music & DramaEducationManchesterWed, 22 Feb 2017 19:52:55 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/feb/22/peter-skellern-piano-playing-was-too-pure-for-his-professorPhotograph: REX/ShutterstockPhotograph: REX/ShutterstockLetters2017-02-22T19:52:55ZPeter Skellern obituaryhttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/feb/19/peter-skellern-obituary
Singer, songwriter and pianist who enjoyed great success with his 1972 hit You’re a Lady and went on to become a popular TV and radio entertainer<p>With his lyrics and vocal stylings echoing those of George Formby, Hoagy Carmichael and Noël Coward, and his penchant for brass band arrangements, Peter Skellern, who has died of cancer aged 69, sometimes seemed a man out of tune with the prevailing pop music trends of the 1970s and 80s. Nevertheless, after his breakthrough with the 1972 hit record <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihYHTIwISV0" title="">You’re a Lady</a>, he drew loyal audiences for his frequent radio and television appearances and his many tours with another witty singer and composer, Richard Stilgoe.</p><p>Skellern was born in the Lancashire mill town of Bury to Margaret (nee Spencer) and John Skellern. It was a musical family, and after attending the Derby high school, Bury, he won a place to study the piano at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Skellern graduated in 1968 but instead of attempting a career as a concert pianist, he formed a progressive rock group, March Hare, with Barrie Guard, later a composer for television and Cliff Richard’s musical director. Skellern composed <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZW3OZ8tP0A" title="">Have We Got News For You</a>, the group’s only recording, after which they changed name to Harlan County and style to country pop.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/feb/19/peter-skellern-obituary">Continue reading...</a>Pop and rockRadioTelevision & radioMusicCultureAnglicanismBoltonRadio 4Sun, 19 Feb 2017 12:31:54 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/feb/19/peter-skellern-obituaryPhotograph: David Redfern/RedfernsPhotograph: David Redfern/RedfernsDave Laing2017-02-19T12:31:54ZDemonstrators swap insults at Bolton 'stop the mosque' protesthttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/nov/27/bolton-stop-the-mosque-protest-swastikas-hitler-salutes
<p>Anti-fascism group stages counter-protest as more than 100 far-right protesters gather for demonstration over planned construction</p><p>Far-right protesters wearing swastikas and performing Nazi salutes descended on a town in Greater Manchester in protest against a planned mosque.</p><p>More than 100 people gathered in the centre of Bolton on Saturday to demonstrate against the proposed construction of a mosque and Islamic centre. The mosque has already been given planning permission.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/nov/27/bolton-stop-the-mosque-protest-swastikas-hitler-salutes">Continue reading...</a>Greater ManchesterBoltonThe far rightUK newsSun, 27 Nov 2016 11:40:37 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/nov/27/bolton-stop-the-mosque-protest-swastikas-hitler-salutesPhotograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianPhotograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianNazia Parveen North of England correspondent2016-11-27T11:40:37ZBolton’s joy over young England Test star Haseeb Hameedhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/nov/20/bolton-joy-over-test-star-haseeb-hameed
The 19-year-old, who recently made an assured debut, has reached the top of the sport despite the odds<p>Bolton can still barely believe it. The exploits of 19-year-old Haseeb Hameed have united a community in admiration and astonishment.</p><p>This weekend, Hameed is playing his second Test match for England against India, in front of a packed, passionate crowd in Visakhapatnam. For many avidly following his progress in the former mill town where he grew up, his story is akin to a fairytale. “It was written in the stars,” Hameed’s elder brother Safwaan, himself an accomplished cricketer, told the <em>Observer</em>. “The pride that we and this community feel in him is so overwhelming. He has done it – for himself and for us.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/nov/20/bolton-joy-over-test-star-haseeb-hameed">Continue reading...</a>BoltonEngland cricket teamCricketSportUK newsNorth of EnglandHaseeb HameedSun, 20 Nov 2016 00:04:22 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/nov/20/bolton-joy-over-test-star-haseeb-hameedPhotograph: Rafiq Maqbool/APPhotograph: Rafiq Maqbool/APNazia Parveen2016-11-20T00:04:22ZLondon’s garden bridge would benefit only the rich | Giles Fraser | Loose canonhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2016/sep/22/london-garden-bridge-regeneration-bolton-loose-canon
The idea that the rhetoric of regeneration can be used to direct money into the centre of London instead of, say, Bolton is disgraceful<p>Garlic bread? Cheese cake? Some combos just sound wrong, according to the famous <a href=" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=" 0apkubblpmc""="" title="">skit from the Bolton comedian Peter Kay</a>. So we can assume that he would happily expose the vainglorious stupidity involved in combining a garden and a bridge. Still, he may not have to, for Mervyn Davies, chair of the Garden Bridge Trust, did a pretty good job <a href="http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/building-a-bridge-towards-a-bright-post-brexit-britain-gl2c52tz2" title="">in the Times this week</a>, arguing that the building of a green-topped concrete bridge over the Thames, from the South Bank to Temple tube, would constitute a much needed economic boost to “areas in need of regeneration”. Would that be the Royal Courts of Justice and all those poverty-stricken barristers’ chambers? Or the National Theatre? Waterloo station? Or&nbsp;the South Bank, with IBM and ITV?</p><p>As it happens, Bolton is seeking money for regeneration. Its <a href="http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/14496439.REVEALED__Bolton_Civic_Trust_presents_bold_new_plan_to_redevelop_historic_Cheadle_Square_site/" title="">proposed £50m redevelopment</a> of the town centre includes accommodation for 700 students at the university. Just to compare: the Garden Bridge Trust has already spent £38m on consultancy fees and studies, without a spade having split the earth. According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Bolton is number three on <a href="https://www.jrf.org.uk/press/10-top-12-struggling-cities-are-in-the-northern-powerhouse" title="">the list of most struggling cities in the UK</a>, behind Rochdale and Burnley. These are the places desperately in need of economic renewal. And the idea that the rhetoric of regeneration can be used to direct money into the centre of London is disgraceful.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/sep/22/sadiq-khan-sets-up-inquiry-into-garden-bridge-projects-use-of-public-money">Sadiq Khan sets up inquiry into garden bridge project's use of public money</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2016/sep/22/london-garden-bridge-regeneration-bolton-loose-canon">Continue reading...</a>RegenerationLondonPlanning policyBoltonPoliticsBoris JohnsonSadiq KhanAnglicanismChristianityReligionUK newsWorld newsThu, 22 Sep 2016 17:05:21 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2016/sep/22/london-garden-bridge-regeneration-bolton-loose-canonPhotograph: Heatherwick Studio/PAPhotograph: Heatherwick Studio/PAGiles Fraser2016-09-22T17:05:21ZMan wearing back brace confused for suicide bomber in Boltonhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/aug/12/man-wearing-back-brace-confused-for-suicide-bomber-bolton-westhoughton-shopping-centre
<p>Police called to Westhoughton shopping centre after passerby reported man wearing ‘body armour with wires hanging out’</p><p>Police were called to a shopping centre in Bolton after a man wearing a back brace was mistaken for suicide bomber.</p><p>Hinesh Vegad, 25, was on his lunch break at a shopping centre in Westhoughton on Wednesday when a concerned member of the public phoned the police saying he had seen an “Asian man wearing body armour which was packed at the bottom with wires hanging out”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/aug/12/man-wearing-back-brace-confused-for-suicide-bomber-bolton-westhoughton-shopping-centre">Continue reading...</a>BoltonGreater ManchesterUK newsUK security and counter-terrorismPoliceFri, 12 Aug 2016 11:36:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/aug/12/man-wearing-back-brace-confused-for-suicide-bomber-bolton-westhoughton-shopping-centrePhotograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianPhotograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianNazia Parveen North of England correspondent2016-08-12T11:36:00ZBolton Wanderers fans made clock-watchers of us all at BHS | Letterhttps://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/aug/01/bolton-wanderers-fans-made-clock-watchers-of-us-all-at-bhs
<p>Being a Saturday girl at BHS Bolton in the 1960s could be mind-numbing (<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jul/25/bhs-worker-diary-department-store-jobs" title="">Everything must go</a>, G2, 26 July). It was usually livelier for around 10 minutes on home match days.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jul/25/bhs-worker-diary-department-store-jobs">Diary of a BHS worker: ‘If there were a Dignitas for department stores, I would make the call’</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/aug/01/bolton-wanderers-fans-made-clock-watchers-of-us-all-at-bhs">Continue reading...</a>Bolton WanderersBHSBusinessFootballBoltonUK newsSportMon, 01 Aug 2016 18:13:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/aug/01/bolton-wanderers-fans-made-clock-watchers-of-us-all-at-bhsPhotograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianPhotograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianLetters2016-08-01T18:13:01ZThe day the NHS saved my life: rescuing a kitten nearly killed mehttps://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jan/20/rescuing-a-cat-nearly-cost-me-my-life
<p>An allergic reaction set off an asthma attack that could have been fatal were it not for paramedics – and a large slice of luck</p><p>I was diagnosed with asthma when I was five. For most of my life, it never gave me much trouble. As I got older, it became gradually more volatile, something I learned to cope with.</p><p>In October 2008 we took in a kitten that needed a home. Our previous cat had recently died and although I had a cat allergy I had been fine around it. Everything seemed OK for the first week, but, in a matter of 24 hours, I took a turn for the worse. </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jan/20/rescuing-a-cat-nearly-cost-me-my-life">Continue reading...</a>AsthmaNHSHealthSocietyUK newsAllergiesBoltonHospitalsDoctorsWed, 20 Jan 2016 07:06:16 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jan/20/rescuing-a-cat-nearly-cost-me-my-lifePhotograph: Jaime SharpPhotograph: Jaime SharpSi Sharp, as told to Elena Cresci2016-01-20T07:06:16ZWebhelp call centres for Shop Direct to close with 700 jobs losthttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/dec/03/webhelp-call-centres-for-shop-direct-to-close-with-700-jobs-lost
<p>Operations in Aintree and Bolton shift to South Africa, where workers earn just £2.39 an hour </p><p>Nearly 700 jobs are to be lost at two call centres serving Littlewoods owner Shop Direct in Aintree and Bolton, as most of the operation moves to South Africa.</p><p>Union representatives for the staff, who are employed by specialist company Webhelp to handle customer service inquiries for Littlewoods and Very.co.uk, said the UK jobs were being cut to save money.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/dec/03/webhelp-call-centres-for-shop-direct-to-close-with-700-jobs-lost">Continue reading...</a>UK newsRedundancyBusinessBoltonThu, 03 Dec 2015 18:12:50 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/dec/03/webhelp-call-centres-for-shop-direct-to-close-with-700-jobs-lostPhotograph: David Sillitoe for the GuardianPhotograph: David Sillitoe for the GuardianSarah Butler2015-12-03T18:12:50ZSalford shooting: shocked locals see gang wars come to their doorhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/13/salford-shooting-shocked-locals-see-gang-wars-come-to-their-door
<p>Despite 21 gun attacks in Salford in 18 months, no one expected a seven-year-old boy and his mother to fall victim to a gangland feud</p><p>As pensioners tended to their lawns and children raced happily out of the school gates, Winton’s quiet warren of streets seems a million miles away from the tit-for-tat gangland violence that once blighted Manchester.</p><p>But on Tuesday locals woke up to find their streets teeming with armed police, forensics officers, detectives and television cameras after the latest in a string of bloody shootings came to their doorstep.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/13/salford-attack-mother-and-son-7-shot-on-doorstep">Salford shooting of mother and son linked to gangland murder of Paul Massey</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/aug/22/salford-mr-big-paul-massey-revenge-turf-wars">As Salford buries its Mr Big, his gang want revenge and the turf wars grow</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/13/salford-shooting-shocked-locals-see-gang-wars-come-to-their-door">Continue reading...</a>CrimeSalfordBoltonGreater ManchesterUK newsPoliceGun crimeWorld newsTue, 13 Oct 2015 19:48:09 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/13/salford-shooting-shocked-locals-see-gang-wars-come-to-their-doorPhotograph: Pat Hurst/PAPhotograph: Pat Hurst/PAJosh Halliday2015-10-13T19:48:09ZSalford shooting of mother and son linked to gangland murder of Paul Masseyhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/13/salford-attack-mother-and-son-7-shot-on-doorstep
<p>Victims named locally as Jayne Hickey, 29, and her seven-year-old son in hospital after being shot in the legs at close range<br></p><p>A seven-year-old boy and his mother have been shot in the legs at close range in a “sickening and cowardly” escalation of a gangland feud in Salford, police said.</p><p>The victims were named locally as Jayne Hickey, 29, and her seven-year-old son, who are being treated in hospital for life-changing injuries after two gunmen opened fire on the doorstep of their home on Monday night.<br></p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/13/salford-shooting-shocked-locals-see-gang-wars-come-to-their-door">Salford shooting: shocked locals see gang wars come to their door</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/13/salford-attack-mother-and-son-7-shot-on-doorstep">Continue reading...</a>SalfordGreater ManchesterUK newsGun crimeWorld newsPoliceBoltonTue, 13 Oct 2015 15:25:54 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/13/salford-attack-mother-and-son-7-shot-on-doorstepPhotograph: LinkedInPhotograph: LinkedInJosh Halliday and Jamie Grierson2015-10-13T15:25:54Z